Dark Souls II

From Software Shows Off Fan-Made Shields

In a batch of new Dark Souls II screenshots, From Software is showing off two of the six fan-made shields that were a part of this year's "Shield Design Contest" held on Facebook. Although From Software opted to not use the shield names submitted by the creators, it is cool to see that each shield is woven into Dark Souls II's fiction.

Both of these shields were designed by Gabriel Verdon. The first carried the name "Great Shield of the Raven Goddess" in the contest, but will be known as the "Rebel's Greatshield" in the game. From Software says that it's the "shield of the rebel Raime. Raime and Velstadt were known as the left and right-arms of the king, until their wills clashed, and Raime was deemed a traitor."

Verdon's second creation, the "Guardian Shield," will be known as the "Wicked Eye Greatshield" in game. From Software details it as "a greatshield with an unsettling design. Covered in the prints of countless hands, the true origin of this shield is unknown. No amount of polishing can clear its face of the mysterious hand prints."

Dark Souls II's release date is right around the corner, hitting on March 11 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.